Epic Universe‘s Stardust Racers Reopensโ After Fatal Incident, Investigations Conclude Accident
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe welcomed โguests back on Saturday evening, following a two-week closure prompted by โa tragic death.
On September โฃ17th, 32-year-old kevin Zavala of Kissimmee was discovered unresponsive immediately after disembarking the new attraction. He was transported to a local hospital โฃwhere he was later pronounced deceased. An autopsy steadfast โฃthe cause โof death to be “multipleโ blunt impact injuries,” and the incident was officially ruled an accident.
While investigators found no mechanicalโ fault with the ride, the case has raised questions โabout safety oversight. Universal officials, in a interaction to employees following the incident, stated internal reviews confirmed the roller coaster “functioned as intended” and that all equipment remained “intact” during Zavala’s ride.
However, attorney Ben Crump, representing Zavala’s family, has publicly called for increased governmental scrutiny of Universal’s ride investigations. Crump’s office reported receiving multiple complaints regarding the safety and functionality of the Stardust racers’ restraints, suggesting the tragedy may not have been an โคisolated event. “These firsthand accounts confirm that Kevin’s tragedy was not โขan isolated incident,” Crump stated.
The Florida Departmentโ of Agriculture and Consumer โServices (FDACS) conductedโฃ its own independent investigation, concluding on โSeptember 22nd with the same findings as Universal Orlando. Investigators from โboth FDACS and the Orange County โSheriff’s Office were on โขsite September 19th. FDACS officials praisedโ Universal’s cooperation, notingโค the โคcompany “has been extremely cooperative and has complied โคwith all required notifications.”
Following the investigations, Universal leadership reiterated its commitment toโ guest safety. In a letter to employees, a company spokesperson stated that the ride had been deemed safe after further review and that operational proceduresโ and signage woudl be updated. These changes will focus on reinforcing existing ride warnings and clarifying physical eligibility requirements for Stardust Racers and other attractions throughout the park.
